Vandals have “desecrated” the memory of fallen soldiers by wrecking a 6ft poppy just days before the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.

Twenty-five of the fibreglass poppies were placed around the borough last week as part of commemoration events, but Sandhurst residents were “disgusted” to learn one had disappeared.

The model was placed in the middle of the roundabout at the junction of Marshall Road and Raeburn Way in Sandhurst, but is believed to have been removed and dumped nearby overnight on Friday.

The news sparked outrage among members of the ‘We Love Sandhurst’ Facebook page.

Karen Gray wrote: “So sad, I know people say it’s just a matter of time, but it is so sad there are so-called humans out there that don’t understand the meaning behind the poppy, they can’t do or else they wouldn’t do it.”

“They need to spend a day with a soldier’s bereaved family or a war veteran to see just how hurtful their actions are.